Huntsville gazette., 1887-07-16
PEDRO's PEONs.
An Adventure With the "Wild Man
Of the Mountains"


You are not afraid of getting lost2''
When Dick Vincent asked this ques-
ton Miss Lucy Shelton smiled scorn-
fully.
''All we have to do is to keep Pogalos
Peak in sight," she replied. "With
such landmark it is impossible for us
to lose our way
Tourists, of course. One glance at
the two settled that. Their sketch
books explained the object of their
early morning walk.
It was too early for the guests at
Prospect Cottage to be astir. These
two were lovers of nature. They were
in search of the picturesque, and they
were determined to keep their pencils
busy during their week in the Sierras.
81 am in a reckless mood to-day" "
said Miss Lucy. ''Let us seek untried
fields. Idon't believe that the average
California tourist finds hundredth
part of the beauties hidden in these
canyons and valleys"
Young Vincent did not wait to be
persuaded. A pretty girl and a ramble
in the heart of the Sierras were temp
tations not to be resisted.
"A late breakfast will not matter, :"
he remarked. ave ought to make our
way back in three or four hours
The first blush of a gorgeous sunrise
was sending wave after wave of color
over the white summit of Pogalos Peak
as the pair turned into rocky detile
leading westward. Birds of gay plu-
mage fitted about among the trees, and
Miss Lucy could not restrain an occa-
sional exclamation of delight as the
novel panorama was unfolded before
her.
An hour or so of this aimless strolling
brought the pedestrians to a winding
pathway evidently leading downward
into some hidden valley.
'sIt is worth all the trouble and the
risk" said Vincent, when they found
themselves after difficult descent in
lovely little valley of perhaps score
of acres.
The locality was walled in by precip-
itous mountains on every side, and Vim
cent understood at once that the path
which they had followed was doubtless
the only means of communications with
the outside world. Ft@ Hf8
f"What does this mean?" he cried. IL
The valley bore evidences of cultiva-
ton. Here and there were to be seen
little patches of corn. beans and other
vegetables.
Vincent and Miss Lucy looked at each
other with vague uneasiness.
'We are too far from Prospect Cot
tage," the young man suggested.
"And we can not see Pogalos Peak, "
replied the young lady, nervously.
eIn wild country like this" con-
tinued her companion, 1--WE can not be
too careful Some years ago there
were some very desperate outlaws in
these mountains. This valley is evi-
IDENTIFY inhabited by some person who
desires to hide himself If we have
accidentally intruded he will not like
it,
..wanghY tyta .0Hs1
'.Merciful heavens!' and Miss Lucy
dropped her sketch book.
Vincent faced about and saw gigan-
tic fellow with long hair and tangled
whiskers standing atgthe mouth of the
narrow pathway leading out of the val
ley. The man looked like Mexican
or half breed. He wasFclad in atunic
of bear skin fastened by ahgirdle around
his waist. His face and arms were of a
coppery red, and his big black eyes
blazed with ferocious glare. Worst
of all, he held a musket on straight
line with the heads of his astonished
visitors.
II beg your pardon, Colonel" said
Vincent, with quaver in his voice,
s'but-don't shoot, old fellow-we have
lost our way, you know, and want te
get back to Prospect Cottage"
yah! Yahr'
..What does he say?" whispered Miss
Lucy.
,sCome, now,' appealed her escort
i..this WON'T do. Lower your gun. We
are going back.
He took the frightened girl by the
arm and started to leave the valley.
"Me shoot! Stopr' thundered the
giant. l.#nc -e5 IN 80
Vincent was unarmed. He had even
left his pocket knife in his room. The
ruffian would have to be humored.
..Fine place." said the young man,
airily, .but you must get tired living
here alone. If you will guide us to
Prospect Cottage 1 will pay you well,
and give you some tobacco and bottle
of brandy"
walk, or me shoot!'' The horrible
man seemed impatient, and pointed r
the interior of the valley.